--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-09-21T20:55:11.544Z last_updated: 2026-09-21T03:57:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/wrexham/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVhZGVybGl2ZS5jby51ay9zcG9ydC8yNjU2NTU5OC5ncml0LXJlc2lsaWVuY2Utd2lubmluZy1yZXNwb25zZS13cmV4aGFtLz9yZWY9cnNz --- # THE FINAL WORD: Character counts as Wrexham deliver the perfect response - **Source:** - **Published:** 21 Sept - **Club:** Wrexham - **Original URL:** https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/26565598.grit-resilience-winning-response-wrexham/?ref=rss This was the perfect response to the 6-0 hammering away to West Ham in the previous game, although it certainly wasn't easy against a very good Saints side. Tonda Eckert's outfit had the majority of possession and created a number of decent chances in the first half but it was Wrexham who took the lead against the run of play when Kieffer Moore converted his third goal of the campaign. Wrexham shipped goals at The London Stadium and needed to be a lot more solid at the back, and the Reds were a lot better defensively. Supporters might have feared the worst when the Saints equalised just five minutes into the second half but the visitors didn't carve out many opportunities after that. The game hung in the balance and Wrexham had to dig in as Southampton were still a threat on the break but the Reds kept probing themselves and it was they who scored the winner in the 89th minute when Jaques Ekomie's cross was turned into his own net by Keven Schlotterbeck. There might have been pressure from outside on Phil Parkinson after the thrashing at West Ham meant Wrexham only won one of their opening seven league games, taking seven points in the process. But Reds' supporters chanted Parkinson's name before kick-off, and that shows exactly what they think of the 58-year-old. It wasn't always plain sailing for Wrexham on their way to securing a record-breaking three successive promotions but one thing that the Reds are very good at doing under the 58-year-old is bouncing back following adversity. Yes, West Ham are a brilliant side but Wrexham just weren't good enough. Playing like that against Southampton would have resulted in another defeat and left the Reds near the bottom heading into the international break. The reaction was top-notch and although not at their best, it was a gritty performance by Wrexham who were a lot better in every department. Southampton will be disappointed not to take anything from the game but Wrexham stepped up to the plate when they really needed to and ground out a first home win of the season. Parkinson praises Wrexham's ‘great dignity’ over Spygate scandal Who stood out? Wrexham player ratings from Southampton win Phil Parkinson delighted by backing of Wrexham fans in win against Southampton After losing both games to the Saints last term, it was also nice to get one over a side who made the trip to north Wales in excellent form. Parkinson knew Wrexham couldn't be too open or they would get punished but he was in no mood to just settle for a point. "It was about trying to win the game from a structure because it wasn't a day for us to open up too much," he said. "If you do that against Southampton, they've got the players who can punish you and the unit distances was exactly what we wanted it, the amount of interceptions we made in that midfield. "Of course, you always want to win but it's making sure we try to win without losing the game and opening the team up too much, and the subs who came on impacted really well for us."